PV Sindhu creates history at Rio, wins the first ever Silver in Badminton for India

She became the first ever Indian to enter Olympics badminton final, and PV Sindhu has scripted history by getting India a Silver despite losing her final match to World No 1 from Spain, Carolina Marin today. It was a close shave as Sindhu kept up a brave fight, and Carolina literally had to earn every point which she did as she showed her true mettle in the end.

The tall and lanky girl from Hyderabad beat Japanese Nozomi Okuhara 21-19 21-10 in the semi-finals of the women's singles badminton event at the Summer Games yesterday to reach where no Indian had gone ever before. Last shuttler to win an Olympic medal for India was Saina Nehwal, who clinched bronze at the 2012 London Games.

As India pinned its hopes on Sindhu, billions of people – from cricketers, fellow Olympians, sports stars, politicians, school kids, Bollywood celebrities to friends and family - showered blessings on the girl for having assured India a Silver and prayed for her to clinch Gold.

For the record, Sindhu had beaten Marin 21-15, 18-21, 21-17 across 72 minutes in last year's Denmark Open final - her first win over the Spaniard in four outings.

As the final match began on Friday, hopes rose higher as PV Sindhu won a thrilling first game against Carolina Marin 21-19 and came one step closer to the gold medal. A ruthless Carolina Marin, however, made a stunning comeback and levelled with big win against Sindhu in second set 21-12.

In the third set, even as Carolina took early lead 4-7, Sindhu came roaring back with a bodyline smash and won a massive rally to level 10-10. She had won six of the last seven points to get here, and this was a time to remember how she had won 11 straight points against Okuhara in the semis to win from 10-10.

The world champion had a four-point lead again 16-13, but Sindhu narrowed the gap with Marin 14-16. However, Carolina Marin became the Olympic champion as she won the match 2-1 finishing 15-21.

In the end, a brave Sindhu walked up to Carolina when she broke down, and congratulated her for her splendid victory.